Inspector Tom King, football liaison officer for Merseyside police, said: "It appears there has been a breakdown in communication between the driver of the vehicle sent to collect the child and the officer on the cordon at the end of Spellow Lane.

"The driver indicated to a police officer he wanted to enter Goodison Road, but at that time it was impractical due to pedestrian movement.

"Had the nature of the vehicle's attendance been fully communicated, police officers